Geography Research Forum

Editorial: Environmental Security - Historical and Geographical Perspectives

Moshe Terdiman — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:12:35 +0800

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Securitizing the Environment in Human Terms

Peter Hough — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:34:48 +0800

The fact that forms of negative environmental change, such as pollution or resource depletion, can be sources of insecurity is uncontentious. Nevertheless, the notion of environmental security remains highly contentious. Environmental security is increasingly invoked in political discourse but it means very different things to different people. This article examines the different ways in which the environment has come to be ‘securitized’, as a matter of national, human or ecological security and also appraises the arguments against securitization, from the perspectives of both environmental sceptics and political ecologists. One important consequence of this epistemic divergence on environmental security has been to inhibit the building of a consensus on how best to address urgent environmental problems. This is particularly problematic because environmental problems, more than most if not all political concerns, require consensual responses. Issues like climate change or atmospheric pollution are more complex, holistic and multi-faceted than more typically securitized issues- such as war or terrorism- and so require more complex, holistic and multi-faceted political responses to mitigate their effects. Hence, agreeing upon what we are talking about when invoking ‘environmental security’ is an important task beyond an academic ontological debate. This article argues that it is both necessary and possible to overcome some of the differences that impede epistemic consensus on securitizing the environment. In particular, it is argued that there is more common ground between human security approaches and political ecological thought than is often appreciated and upon this we can construct a meaningful and useful notion of environmental security.

Environmental Issues in the Middle Islamic Period (ca. CE 915-1517)

Yehoshua Frenkel — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:53:56 +0800

This study presents succinctly medieval Arabic accounts of landscape, water supply, nature and natural hazards. This data enables us to reconstruct humanity's efforts to make use of natural resources and its reaction to calamities. The sources cast light on governors’ engineering efforts in support of farming, as well as their reaction in periods of shortages. The political implications of famines encouraged them to carry out a moral economy. Affluence enhanced their image as virtuous rulers. Reports on constructions of granaries and supply of cereals illuminate these political dimensions of rudimentary environmental policy. Contemporary Muslim thinkers and politicians often highlight these historical accounts in order to support arguments about an Islamic ecological agenda. Their suggestion can serve as a starting point to an endemic discourse regarding modern times climate challenges.

Eco-Jihad: Islamic Extremist Groups in Africa Recruit Owing to the Environment

Glen Segell — Fri, 01 May 2026 22:00:34 +0800

This article examines factors of natural and human environment used by Islamic Jihadist groups in Africa, in recruitment. The methodology is a comparative study to multiple cases applied deductively from qualitative data. A comprehensive use of primary and secondary sources is used as the data. Each section starts with a quote from Islam’s holy book, the Quran, to show the relevancy of the environment in Islam used in militant recruitment by Jihadist groups in Africa. The cases in four sections start two centuries ago showing that this is not a new phenomenon. The first section details the Jihadists of Sokoto in pre-colonial West Africa (ca. 1800–1840). In recruitment they used civilization / wilderness divides across intellectual and colloquial discourses of common soldiers and political leaders; that included glorification of horses and camels as a recruitment moto associated with authentic Islamic warfare in the style of Prophet Muhammad. The second section provides examples of Islamic Jihadist groups in the Sahel where recruitment applied the symbiotic relationship of environmental shocks, insecurity, chronic hunger, malnutrition, and violent extremist organizations. The third section examines the materialist political ecology approach detailing Jihadist groups in Mali in their peasant / pastoral logics for recruitment. This is compared to the devolution of natural resources and security governance in Nigeria and the specific means applied by Al Shabab in Somalia who has banned single-use plastic bags projecting an environmental friendly image. The fourth section examines specific circumstances in various countries showing how recruitment is furthered by climate change. These are the Maghreb countries Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, and the Lake Chad Basin and Mali. The thematic line drawn, and common denominators in all the sections are that people under stress who have nowhere to turn to, arising from situations resulting from environmental stress, are the targets for militant recruitment. It is fair to state then as a bottom line from the cases in the African context that Islamic Jihadist groups exploit the environment to recruit. This comes naturally for environmental concerns are part and parcel of Islamic religion, military strategy, and politics.

The Implications of the Climate Crisis in the Middle East

Gideon Behar — Fri, 01 May 2026 22:22:14 +0800

The climate crisis has been emerging as one of the most significant forces shaping the Middle East, a region increasingly recognized as a climate hotspot that is warming at twice the global average rate. As the crisis deepens as manifested very clearly by the severe drought in the region this year (the winter of 2024-2025), its influence on the region becomes more pronounced. This impact manifests through a variety of phenomena, including sea level rise, an increase in extreme weather events such as sandstorms, floods, and wildfires, a reduction in annual precipitation, and rising temperatures. These developments have far-reaching implications for agriculture, economic stability, public health, tourism, and natural ecosystems. They also exacerbate internal tensions and inter-state conflict potential, as exemplified by the Syrian civil war, in which prolonged drought played a contributing role. The response and preparedness of Middle Eastern countries can be categorized into three groups: (1) Countries with resources and comprehensive climate strategies, such as the Gulf states, Morocco and Israel, which recognize the severity of the challenge and have begun implementing adaptation strategies; (2) Countries with limited resources and partial preparedness, such as Egypt and Jordan; Fragile or failed states, such as Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan and Libya, which currently lack any significant climate preparedness. Strengthening regional climate resilience and developing regional cooperation mechanisms are essential. Given the transboundary nature of climate challenges, it is imperative to foster regional preparedness through cooperative efforts both within the region and with international partners. Israel has promoted and actively participated in several such initiatives.

Blue Diplomacy: Transboundary Efforts for Red Sea Coral Reefs

Maoz Fine, Rina Kedem, Suleiman Halasah, Ali Al-Sawalmih — Fri, 01 May 2026 22:55:34 +0800

Coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots vital for marine life and human livelihoods. Yet, they face existential threats from climate change and local stressors, with projections warning that up to 90% of global coral reefs could disappear by 2050 under current trends. The coral reefs of the northern Red Sea – particularly in the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) offer a rare refuge, demonstrating remarkable resistance to thermal stress. However, this resilience to warming will only translate into long-term survival if local pressures such as pollution, overfishing, and coastal development are stringently managed. Effective conservation in this region transcends national boundaries, as the GoA is bordered by four countries (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia) sharing interconnected marine ecosystems. This manuscript examines the critical role of Transboundary Environmental Cooperation (TEC) in safeguarding the GoA’s coral reefs as a global “reef refuge.” We review successful TEC examples in coral reef regions worldwide to draw lessons for the Red Sea. We then detail past and present transboundary initiatives in the Red Sea, highlighting achievements and chronic challenges – from regional conflicts (e.g. the war in Gaza) that have derailed joint efforts, to shifts in international support (such as the Trump administration’s funding cuts) that have left cooperation projects in limbo. In the discussion, we explore pathways to bolster regional environmental security, including open science and data-sharing platforms considering political fragmentation and active violent conflict and the proposal of a multi-nation UNESCO World Heritage Site in the GoA to institutionalize cooperation. These strategies could enhance environmental peacebuilding and resilience, ensuring that the Red Sea’s reefs of hope endure as a bastion for coral survival and regional stability.

Food Security and Sustainable Nutrition in Israel: Challenges, Frameworks, and Policy Directions

Sigal Tepper, Nimrod Luz — Fri, 01 May 2026 23:28:06 +0800

Food systems stand at the nexus of human health and environmental sustainability, yet Israel's current food model poses significant challenges to both. This paper examines the specific obstacles to achieving food security and sustainable nutrition in Israel, analyzing these challenges through multiple theoretical frameworks including food sovereignty, sustainable nutrition, and circular economy approaches. We begin by outlining Israel's unique food security vulnerabilities: its growing population, limited arable land, water scarcity, and dependence on imports, all exacerbated by regional geopolitical instability. The paper contextualizes these challenges within relevant theoretical frameworks, examining how concepts such as food security, food sovereignty, and sustainable nutrition can inform policy development. We then analyze Israel's historical lack of comprehensive food policy and its consequences for vulnerable populations. The paper concludes by proposing policy directions grounded in Clapp's integrated, non-binary approach to food security and sovereignty, demonstrating how Israel might develop a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system. By examining these interconnected issues, we contribute to the broader discourse on reimagining food systems that can both nourish populations and regenerate environmental resources in contexts characterized by resource constraints and geopolitical complexity.

India Blue Economy: challenges and opportunities

Lauren Dagan Amoss — Fri, 01 May 2026 23:51:41 +0800

The concept of the blue economy has emerged as a pivotal framework integrating economic growth, environmental sustainability, and maritime security. Since Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, India has actively leveraged the blue economy to strengthen its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific, reflecting a shift from a traditional maritime economy to a comprehensive geopolitical tool. This paper examines how India’s blue economy policies evolved under Modi’s leadership, emphasizing key initiatives such as SAGAR and the Sagarmala Program. These initiatives underscore India’s ambition to not only harness marine resources for economic growth but also to enhance regional stability and maritime governance. Despite its strategic importance, the development of the blue economy faces significant challenges, including marine pollution, overfishing, climate change, and infrastructure deficiencies. Moreover, geopolitical tensions, particularly with China, complicate regional cooperation, requiring India to balance economic aspirations with security concerns. India’s multilateral engagements—notably through the Quad, ASEAN, and BIMSTEC—demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding maritime trade routes, fostering sustainable marine resource management, and addressing security threats such as piracy and illegal fishing. This study employs a qualitative content analysis of official policy documents, international agreements, and academic literature to assess India's strategic use of the blue economy as a regional and global policy instrument. The findings suggest that while India has made considerable progress in advancing its maritime economy, future success will depend on enhanced regulatory frameworks, technological innovation, regional cooperation, and climate resilience measures. By adopting a holistic and sustainable approach, India can solidify its role as a leading maritime power in the Indo-Pacific, contributing to both economic prosperity and geopolitical stability.

Book Reviews

Book Reviewers — Sat, 02 May 2026 00:04:31 +0800

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